Thank you to those who first recognized my passion for creative writing and helped me to learn and strengthen this area: my language arts teachers in elementary, junior high, high school, and college—especially Marilyn Rodgers, Mary Knock, and Lin Buswell. Also, my writing mentors in my twenties: Jodi O’Donnell and my Omaha critique group—Cheryl St. John, *lizzie starr, Barb Hunt, and Donna Knoell.
To all of my family members and friends who believed in me, especially my parents: Kathleen and Richard Hora, Joseph and Sebyl Motsinger. When I was a child, my favorite activity was sitting next to you on the couch as you read to me. Thank you for planting those first seeds.
To my husband, Joe, whom I married when I was twenty-three years old: You have been my biggest support with writing and all other areas of life. Thank you for bouncing ideas around with me while I worked on this book, providing feedback when I read it to you, and being Super Dad! You’ve always been there for me. I love you.
To my son, Logan, with whom I became pregnant when I was twenty-seven: you made me realize that there was something I enjoyed more than writing. I have treasured my days as a stay-at-home mom with you—you are my heart and kindred soul. Your personality inspired the character of Chase.
To my daughter, Krissa, with whom I became pregnant at age thirty: I am envious of your energy, determination, confidence, and humor! You bring such joy to my life with your sweet, smart, and polite spirit—you inspired the character of CeCe.
To those who helped me to write this book accurately: my dear friends Sarah Young, Melissa Hammerly, and Brooke Williams—as well as her friend Stana Donnelly—my neighborhood friend Erin Dahl and high school friend Dustin Gehring. I am very grateful for your time.
To Mindy Abendroth and her Mary Kay ladies for providing the motivation that I needed to write this book: Thanks to you, I heard God say, “Write this—it’s time,” after I woke up from having a dream.
I was ecstatic when Ambassador International offered me a contract and am so appreciative to Sam, Tim, and Alison Lowry for making my life-long dream come true! Thanks also go to Brenda Covert, my excellent editor, Hannah Nichols for the best cover ever, and Jennifer Ross, author of Isaiah’s Story.
And last, but certainly not least, to all of the missing children and families who have lost their loved ones to abduction: You are in my prayers.